Most people don’t understand what anxiety is. Sure, we all get it from time to time, but to truly have anxiety is something that can make or break you. People who don’t have it think you’re just making a fuss for no reason, and you can calm down on your own. Why would you possibly need medication?

While I do agree that many abuse anxiety medications, that does not mean some of us do not need it. I recently was put on a mild one to help with my social anxiety, and it’s not known for causing euphoria which is what some are known for. That’s what makes them addicting. It is what you make it, and self-control is key. My anxiety medication merely causes me to calm down. I get a nervous stomach that eventually makes me sick if it gets bad enough. I’ve spent nights waking up every twenty minutes because my stomach was nervous, and ended up with me getting sick after trying to hold back. I’ve gone on dates where I’ve had to leave the table because I was about to get sick.

What I’m trying to get to is that it is not your fault that you have anxiety. It happens to the best of us. Mine causes me to get sick, which is embarrassing. The embarrassment from that doesn’t make it any easier, so I try to be as subtle as possible about it. With most people who have anxiety, you can never tell that they do. We all learn to hide it, and while mine is minor, some have it much worse.

I’m not exactly sure what causes anxiety attacks, but usually when you’re nervous or high-strung about something, it will sneak up on you. You can’t just think it away; in fact, the more you think about it, the worse it gets. It’s hard to sit still as the need to fidget starts to grow. As mentioned above, I’ve lost sleep over anxiety due to a test or another emotional stressor. It causes me to wake up due to constant fidgeting, and the nauseous stomach. For others, it causes an inability to sleep because their mind can’t stop racing.

Essentially, anxiety is not your fault. It helps to talk to other people about it. I’ve learned if you’re open to people about it, even if they think you’re crazy, is much better than keeping it to yourself. I have a best friend who pretty much knows every time I have an anxiety attack, and all of my embarrassing stories about getting sick at a restaurant, which has happened several times. Also, in a relationship, you should be open about it. Don’t try to hide it because you’re afraid he or she will run from you. If they can’t handle it, they’re not the one for you. So, talk about it, get it out there. It’s not a societal norm to talk about anxiety, but maybe we should make it one. It does more harm than good to hide it away. Get out there, be yourself. It’s better to be yourself than not. Never hide who you are; you are who you make yourself, and you are not your anxiety.